How Does Rotary Foundation Work?

Many of you may have seen members of the Church Wilne Rotary Club out with Santa over Christmas. The donations collected during these various Santa led events all go to local causes. However, as a club, we also support something called the Rotary Foundation, which funds international projects.

At a recent club meeting, John Cavey, Rotary Foundation District Chairman, reminded us where some of our international funds are directed.

Rotary Clubs don't exist in isolation. The organisation is truly international in outlook and application. In 100 years of Rotary Foundation over £2 billion has been spent on worldwide projects to help alleviate poverty, improve health and support education.

One of Rotary Foundation's greatest achievements is in the campaign to eradicate Polio. The immunisation programme started in 1979 and for the last 10 years has been supported by Bill Gates. The programme has been responsible for reducing the number of confirmed cases down from 350,000 in 1988 to 29 in 2018. That sounds great, doesn't it? Indeed, it is a fantastic achievement, but Rotary Foundation will not rest until the disease is totally eradicated. For more information go to www.endpolio.org

Rotary service projects are member driven and frequently result from the collaboration of clubs. To achieve the objectives, clubs donate funds together with additional grants from Rotary Foundation.

One such international project involves the construction of sand dams in Sub Saharan Africa. A sand dam is a simple, cost-effective, low maintenance construction which retains water during the rainy season enabling crop irrigation during the dry season.

Working with local partners – Africa Sand Dam Foundation and Excellent Development – The Rotary Clubs of Church Wilne, Beeston, Castle Donington, Ilkeston and Long Eaton Dawn breakers were successful in applying for a Rotary Foundation Grant to further support this project. In total, Rotary Foundation gives over £50 million to global projects every year. Rotary Foundation invests in tomorrow by engaging with partners throughout the world today.

Church Wilne Rotary Club is attracting new members through various initiatives, associate membership, satellite clubs and Friends of Rotary, where people can assist with running some of our events. Volunteering helps to get a taste of what it would be like to join the club

For more information on Rotary, our speaker evenings, events and the main activities organised by our club please contact our Secretary, Mick White at: rccw1220@gmail.com

Rtn David Hewitt
For Church Wilne Rotary